An Airforce Survival Instructor gave me a gem of understanding that is relevant here. He said something like…..
Survival is all about making mistakes. When you notice you have made your first mistake it is time to become very careful. When you notice the second, stop and think about things as though your life depends on it. When you encounter the third, realize you are treading a thin line between life and death.

We all make mistakes in our travels. I have ventured into the desert without enough water and had a very very bad day. I rode a motorcycle and woke up in the hospital. Never did find out what happened. I have climbed in places that I was lucky to survive.

I have learned each time how narrow the margin is between a nice day and a truly bad one. I need to be reminded (frequently) of that reality. It does not matter what Aron Ralston did or did not do. What matters is that I may again find myself on that thin edge of reality and remembering Aron Ralston and others that have survived seemingly hopeless situations, empowers me to do things I might not otherwise find the strength to accomplish.

And it also helps me keep looking for mistake #1, #2 and #3.